National Depression Screening Day

October 11 is the 17th annual National Depression Screening Day. According to its non-profit sponsor, Screening for Mental Health, Inc. (SMH), on that day, “…community organizations, primary care providers, colleges and military installations throughout the nation will offer free, anonymous mental health screenings in an effort to educate members of the public on the symptoms of depression and warning signs of suicide, and the appropriate course of action to take.”

Early detection of mental health disorders greatly increases the likelihood that an individual will receive appropriate treatment and have better quality of life. Depression, sometimes called clinical depression or major depression, is a serious and all too common mood disorder that causes both mental and physical symptoms. As described by SMH, symptoms of depression include:

• Persistent sad, anxious or empty mood
• Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness or helplessness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in ordinary activities
• Decreased energy, a feeling of fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Restlessness or irritability
• Inability to sleep or oversleeping
• Changes in appetite or weight
• Unexplained aches and pains
• Thoughts of death or suicide

This year’s National Depression Screening Day is focused on suicide prevention and is called: Stop a Suicide Today! Every year, there are approximately 30,000 suicides in the U.S., and about 70 percent of the time the individual either tells someone in advance or exhibits warning signs indicating trouble. Although most people with depression are not suicidal, most suicidal people are depressed. And while about three-quarters of Americans believe that suicide is preventable, only one-quarter feel they could help a loved one who is suicidal.

If you do know someone who is thinking about suicide, ou should treat it just like you would any medical emergency. First, acknowledge their distress and tell them that you care. Don’t try to cheer them up or tell them to snap out of it. Don’t assume the situation will take care of itself. If the person is willing to accept treatment, do one of the following: bring them to a local emergency room or mental health facility, or contact their primary healthcare or mental healthcare provider directly. If they are unwilling to accept help call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) or a local emergency room for resources and advice. If all else fails, call 911.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ed Zimney, MD

Ed is a physician with more than 30 years of experience. He’s held positions in drug advertising review, drug safety surveillance, medical information and marketing with several bio/pharmaceutical companies.